Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs has launched the 2026/2027 round of its Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), opening a record €17.5 million pot of grants for Irish community organisations overseas. Announcing the call for applications on 15 January, Minister of State for the Diaspora Neale Richmond said the higher budget “reflects our continued commitment to building vibrant and sustainable Irish communities abroad”.(gov.ie)
Now in its 22nd year, the ESP funds everything from welfare services for vulnerable older emigrants in Britain and the United States to Irish-language classes and GAA clubs across Asia-Pacific. Since 2004, more than 900 groups in 51 countries have received €265 million, underscoring the programme’s importance for Ireland’s soft-power footprint.(gov.ie)
While the ESP strengthens community infrastructure, professionals and volunteers still need to reach those overseas locations in the first place—often navigating complex entry rules. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers a one-stop service for obtaining visas and work permits worldwide, providing real-time requirements, digital application tracking and corporate dashboards that align neatly with any diaspora or mobility initiative.
![Government Opens €17.5 Million Emigrant Support Programme for 2026/27]()
For global mobility and HR teams, the grants matter because they indirectly support employee assistance networks, temporary housing initiatives and mentoring schemes that help Irish staff settle when posted abroad. Companies with large Irish expatriate populations often partner with ESP-funded NGOs to deliver cultural induction sessions and spouse-employment advice, reducing assignment failure rates.
Applications close at 23:59 Irish time on 4 February. Organisations must demonstrate strong governance and measurable outcomes; multi-year bids are possible for flagship welfare projects. A new Diaspora Strategy, promised for April, is expected to align future ESP priorities with Ireland’s trade, investment and talent-attraction goals—signals that corporate stakeholders should watch closely.
Practical tip: Irish subsidiaries that second employees overseas can encourage local charities to apply, amplifying CSR objectives while bolstering assignment support. Grant guidelines and forms are available on Ireland.ie.
Now in its 22nd year, the ESP funds everything from welfare services for vulnerable older emigrants in Britain and the United States to Irish-language classes and GAA clubs across Asia-Pacific. Since 2004, more than 900 groups in 51 countries have received €265 million, underscoring the programme’s importance for Ireland’s soft-power footprint.(gov.ie)
While the ESP strengthens community infrastructure, professionals and volunteers still need to reach those overseas locations in the first place—often navigating complex entry rules. VisaHQ’s Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) offers a one-stop service for obtaining visas and work permits worldwide, providing real-time requirements, digital application tracking and corporate dashboards that align neatly with any diaspora or mobility initiative.
For global mobility and HR teams, the grants matter because they indirectly support employee assistance networks, temporary housing initiatives and mentoring schemes that help Irish staff settle when posted abroad. Companies with large Irish expatriate populations often partner with ESP-funded NGOs to deliver cultural induction sessions and spouse-employment advice, reducing assignment failure rates.
Applications close at 23:59 Irish time on 4 February. Organisations must demonstrate strong governance and measurable outcomes; multi-year bids are possible for flagship welfare projects. A new Diaspora Strategy, promised for April, is expected to align future ESP priorities with Ireland’s trade, investment and talent-attraction goals—signals that corporate stakeholders should watch closely.
Practical tip: Irish subsidiaries that second employees overseas can encourage local charities to apply, amplifying CSR objectives while bolstering assignment support. Grant guidelines and forms are available on Ireland.ie.
